Some number of years ago, I went on a few dates with a random girl I met in college. Christmas was rapidly approaching, and as anyone who has been in that situation knows, it’s awkward to exchange gifts with someone you’re casually dating. You want to show you care; yet, you don’t want to seem like you care too much. Looking back, I haven’t the slightest idea what I bought her. I’m sure it was an ugly scarf or dinner at a nice, forgettable restaurant, but I will never forget what she brought me.

Bright as the sun and intentionally ugly in a retro, mesmerizing way, she gave me a Yellow Submarine clock. It was almost like she was testing me. We hadn’t talked about the Beatles or even the coolness of funky clocks. It was like she was just throwing it out there, saying, “This is awesome, and if you’re awesome, you’ll think so too.” Luckily, I did. Today, that clock sits in our living room. It’s still one of the coolest things I own, and it’s one of many small reasons why that random girl later became my wife.